Review: Talisker 10 Year Old

Founded in 1830, Talisker is an Island distillery situated on the shores of the Isle of Skye in Scotland. Talisker’s spirit is moderately peated and noted for having a maritime character that brings to mind the shores where the whisky was distilled. Talisker 10 Year Old is one of the distillery’s entry level offerings.

Finish: Medium length. The ashy smoke, brine, black peppercorn, lemon, and milk chocolate notes linger. The sweetness from the nose and palate develops into fresh apple cider, plums, and apricots. Caramel, toffee, vanilla, and oak make an appearance on the tail end of the finish.

This was one of the first peated single malts I tried when I started to explore peated whisky years ago. Even though I’ve tried hundreds of whiskies in that time, Talisker 10 Year Old is as enjoyable now as it was the first time I tried it. I wish the stone fruit notes shined brighter and that the finish were longer, but it doesn’t detract from the overall experience of this sweet and smoky whisky.

Elias’ Rating: 87/100

Jayson’s Notes:

Color: Burnished.

Nose: Ocean, sweet smoke, caramel, very faint sherry.

Palate: Oily. Plums, sweet, cinnamon, ash, peat is there but not in a monster way, vanilla.